Indexing workpiece supporting apparatus

ABSTRACT

The rotatable table of the indexing workpiece supporting apparatus is carried by a vertical shaft which is rotatably mounted within a lower casing. This shaft is connected by bevel gears with a first inner shaft radially disposed within the casing with respect to the vertical shaft, this first inner shaft being in turn connected by interchangeable spur gears with a second inner shaft laterally situated with respect to the vertical shaft. A Geneva cross gearing connects this second inner shaft with a third one disposed in line with respect to the first inner shaft, but on the other side of the vertical shaft. This third shaft is in turn connected with a fourth shaft parallel to the second inner shaft, but situated on the other side of the vertical shaft, and this fourth shaft is driven by means of a vertical worm, the lower end of which projects below the casing to form an inlet shaft, and of a corresponding worm mounted loose on the said fourth shaft, but angularly retained thereon by a torque limiting coupling. The interchangeable gears and the Geneva cross gearing are disposed in opposed lateral recesses of the casing and are easily accessible through removable covers.

United States Patent 1 1 Mazue 1451 July 23, 1974 INDEXING WORKPIECESUPPORTING APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Jack Mazue, Saone-et-Loire,

Mercurey, France 22 Filed: Sept. 4, 1973 21 Appl.No.:394,099

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Hake .Q 74/820 PrimaryExaminer-Samuel Scott Assistant Examiner-F. D. Shoemaker Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Alexander & Dowell [5 7 ABSTRACT The rotatable table ofthe indexing workpiece supporting apparatusis carried by a verticalshaft which is rotatably mounted within a lower casing. This shaft isconnected by bevel gears with a first inner shaft radially disposedwithin the casing with respect to the vertical shaft, this first innershaft being in turn connected by interchangeable spur gears with asecond inner shaft laterally situated with respect to the verticalshaft. A Geneva cross gearing connects this second inner shaft with athird one disposed in line with respect to the first inner shaft, but onthe other side of the vertical shaft. This third shaft is in turnconnected with a fourth shaft parallel to the second inner shaft,

' but situated on the other side of the vertical shaft, and

retained thereon by a torque limiting coupling. The

interchangeable gears and the Geneva cross gearing are disposed inopposed lateral recesses of the casing and are easily accessible throughremovable covers.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PAIENIE 111231914 SHEEI 1 [IF 2 4i. no. 6ca .2

I l INDEXING WORKPIECE SUPPORTING APPARATUS DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to indexing workpiece supporting apparatusof the kind comprising a rotatable supporting plate mounted on a casingwhich encloses a step-by-step advancing mechanism, such as a Genevacross gearing, and a set of interchangeable gears disposed between thismechanism and the table to permit of varying the angle of advance of thelatter at each operating cycle of the apparatus. The apparatus furthergenerally comprises means to lock the table at each indexed positionbetween the successive advancing steps.

It is an objet of the invention to provide an apparatus of the kind inquestion wherein the interchangeable. gears and the Geneva crossZgearing are easily accessible through lateral removable covers providedon the casing.

It is a furtherobject of the present invention to provide such anapparatus wherein the vertical shaft means which drive the rotatableplate are connected through a pair of bevel gears with a first innershaft radial to the said shaft means, this first inner shaft being inturn connected by interchangeable gears, disposed in a first lateralrecess of the casing, with asecond inner shaft laterally disposed withrespect to the said means and itself connected'through by a Geneva crossgearing, disposed in a second lateral recess of the casing, with a thirdinner shaft disposed in line with the aforesaid first inner shaft, buton the other side of the vertical shaft means, and the said third innershaft being in turn connected through a pair of gears with a fourthinner shaft disposed on the other side of the vertical shaft means withrespect to the said second inner shaft; the said first and secondrecesses being closed by removable covers and are thus easilyaccessible. h Still a further object of this invention is to provide anapparatus as abovedefined, wherein the fourth inner shaft carries a wormwheel with which it is frictionally connected by torque-limiting means,this worm wheel being driven by a vertical worm the lower endof whichprojects downwardly from the casing to form the inlet shaft of theapparatus. j i I The invention also includes an-apparatus of the kindabove defined, wherein the fourth shaft is formed as a cam to actuate alocking member slidably mounted within the casing and which is'urged byspring means towards the table to lock same in position between thesuccessive advancing. steps of the apparatus.

In the annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is an axial vertical section of an apparatus according to theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section thereof corresponding to line II-II ofFIG, 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmental section illustrating the worm and worm wheelgearing through whichthe apparatus is driven.

FIG. 4 is a fragmental vertical sectioncorresponding to line IV-IV ofFIG. 2.

The indexing workpiece supporting apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1comprises a table 1 carried by a vertical tubular shaft 2 rotatablymounted in a casing 3 by means of antifriction bearings such as 4; Asshown shaft 2 has an annular radially protruding portion 2a which isclamped by means of screws's between table 1 and a socket 6 the lowerend of which is formed as a bevel gear 6a. This gear 6a meshes with abevel pinion 7 carried by a horizontal shaft 8 supported within casing 3by antifriction bearings 9. Casing 3 is approximately rectangular inhorizontal cross-section (see FIG. 2) and its smaller sides are formedwith lateral recesses, respective 3a and 3b. Shaft 8, which is of coursedirected radially with respect to shaft 2, extends into recess 3a, thelatter being normally closed by a removable cover 10. A spur gear 11 isremovable mounted on shaft 8 within recess 3a. In the exampleillustrated in FIG. 2, a hub 8a is fixed on shaft 8 and gear 11 issecured to the said hub by means of screws such as 12.

Gearll meshes with anotherspur gear 13 also disposed within recess 3aand removably secured, as for instance by means of an axial screw 14,onto the end of a lateral shaftlS parallel to shaft 8, this lateralshaft being supported within casing 3 by means of antifric-' ing- 3 byantifriction bearings 22. It will be observed that in the embodimentillustrated, shaft 21 is co-axial to shaft 8.

The Geneva cross mechanism 18-19-20 has not been detailed in thedrawings since it is well known in the art. In the present embodimentwheel 18 is in the form of a flat disc having. on its side which facescover 17 a number of projections 18a which determine a series of radialpassages for rollers 20, as for instance four at right angles to eachother, the circular path followed by rollers 20 being tangent to thesaid passages in the conventional manner.

Plate 19 is formed with peripheral teeth which mesh with a pinion 23aprovided on the closed end of a socket 23 mounted on a second lateralshaft 24 parallel to the above mentioned lateral shaft 15 and carriedwithin casing 3 by antifriction bearings 25. Socket 23 is longitudinallyslidable on shaft 24 but it is angularly fixed thereon, as for instanceby means of a longitudinal key, not illustrated. Shaft 24 has an axialextension 24a of smaller diameter, which passes through the end wall'ofsocket 23. The end of this extension is screwthreaded and it receives anut 26 which presses resilient spherical washers 27 against socket 23.The latter is thus urged'towards the right in FIG. 2 against a wormwheel 28 loose on shaft 24, this wheel resting in turn against anannular radially projecting portion 24b of the said shaft.

Wheel 28 is in mesh with a vertical worm 29 carried within casing 3 byantifriction bearings 30 (see FIG. 3). The lower portion of this worm 29extends outwardly below casing 3 and it is connected with the shaft (notillustrated) of an electric motor 31 carried by the lower side of thecasing.

Shaft 24 is formed in a transverse plane substantially radial to shaft2, with a groove 24c (FIGS. 2 and 4) of arcuate transverse cross-sectionwhich extends through somewhat more than The bottom 24d of this grooveplays the role of a cam for a follower roller 32 carried by a horizontalarm 33. The latter is clamped on a cylindrical rod 34 verticallyslidable in a corresponding bore ofcasing 3 (in which it may be guidedblind bore which opens downwardly, its lower end being slidable on acylindrical block 35 secured to the casing by a screw 36. The upper endof rod 34 is conical as indicated at 34a. The lower tubular portion ofrod 34 further contains a compression spring 37 which takes rest againstblock 35, thus urging rod 34 upwardly.

Plate 1 is of the kind described in my French Pat. No. 1,581,154. Itcomprises a peripheral skirt 38 (see FIG.

' 1) having an inner ring 380 secured to its lower end. An

intermediate annularmember 39 is disposed between ring 38a and the lowerside of table 1, this member being clamped by screws 40 on a stationarysleeve 41 which rests on an inner portion of casing 3 into which screws40 are screwed. A first annular diaphragm 42 is disposed between annularmember 39, its outer edge being fixed to the skirt 38 while its inneredge is slidably received between member 39 and a shoulder of the sleeve41. A second annular diaphragm 43 of quite smaller outer diameter hasits inner edge fixed to sleeve 41, while its outer edge bears slidinglyon a shoulder of the inner ring 38a. As explained in my aforesaid Frenchpatent, such diaphragms define an annular chamber into which compressedair may be injected, when dey by means of balls, if desired). This rodhas an axial sired, to act on the inner ring 38a which is thus appliedagainst the upper side of the inner portion of easing 3, thus locking inposition the'said ring itself, skirt 38 and table 1.

It will further be noted that casing 3 is formed with a third recess 3c(see FIG. 2) which may be considered as a lateral extension of recess3a, this recess 3c being also closed by a removable cover 44. Recess 3ccontains a microswitch (see FIG. 4) actuated by a finger 46 fixed to arm33 to detect the number of revolutions of shaft 24 and consequently theindexing advance of table 1.

The operation is a follows:

When motor 31 (FIG. 3) is rotated, it drives wheel 28 through worm 29.If the torque required does not exceed the limit fixed by the resilientspherical washers 27, shaft 24 and socket 23 are rotated. The latter inturn drives the Geneva cross pinion 19-20 which imparts a jerked angularmotion to the Geneva wheel 1818a. This motion is transmitted to table 1through lateral shaft 15, the interchangeable gears 13, 11, shaft 8 andbevel pinion 7. In the example illustrated pinion 19 comprises tworollers 20 and the diameter of the pitch circle of its toothed periphery19a is twice the corresponding diameter of the toothed portion 230 ofsocket 23, in such manner that socket and shaft 24, 23 effect a fullrevolution for each advance of the Geneva cross wheel 18. Since thelatter has four radial passages, this corresponds to a quarter of arevolution of the said wheel and consequently of lateral shaft 15. Theresulting angular advance of table 1 is of course dependantof the fixedtransmitting ratio of the bevel gears 7-6a and of the interchangeablespur gears 13-11 which may be varied at will.

At each revolution of shaft 24 roller 32 is actuated to 6 4 of themactuates an electromagnetic distributor which controls the injection ofcompressed air into the space defined by diaphragms 42 and 43 (FIG. 1).Here again table 1 should be released during the period of rotation ofthe Geneva wheel 18 and locked as soon as this period is ended.

It will be noted that with the arrangement described the interchangeablespur gears 11-13, the Geneva cross mechanism 18-19-20 and themicro-switch 45 are easily accessible by only removing the correspondingcovers l0, l7 and 44. This is'of considerable interest since itfacilitates the modification of the angular advance of the workpiecesupporting table whenever this is necessary, and the adjustment of theoperation of the compressed air distributor in order that the table maybe released and locked at the precise time required in the operatingcycle. It is further to be remarked that in the case of an overload, asfor instance if for any reason the table were not released at the propertime by the compressed air distributor, the parts are not liable to bedamaged owing to the presence of the frictional coupling formed ofsocket 23, wheel 28 and portion 24b of shaft 24.

I claim:

1. An indexing workpiece supporting apparatus comprising:

a casing having at least first end side and a first lateral side, withsaid first lateral side being formed with a first outwardly lateral,recess;

. a rotatable supporting plate mounted on said first end side of saidcasing;

driving shaft means to carry said supporting plate and to rotate same,said shaft means being rotatably supported in said casing;

a first inner shaft rotatably carried within said casing to drive saidshaft means, said first inner shaft being substantially perpendicular tosaid shaft means, and having a first end and a second end, with saidfirstend extending into said first lateral recess;

gear means to positively connect said first inner shaft with said shaftmeans to cause same to rotate in unison;

a second inner shaft also rotatably carried within said casing, saidsecond inner shaft being substantially parallel to, but spaced from saidfirst inner shaft, and having a first and a second end with said firstend of said second inner shaft extending into said first lateral recess;

a pair of interchangeable gears removably mounted within said firstlateral recess on said first and second inner shafts to connect samewith each other;

means within said casing to rotate said second inner shaft through adetermined angle to cause said supporting plate to advance from anindexed position to the next one;

and first removable cover means to close said first lateral recess.

2. In an indexing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said said second endof said second inner shaft extending into said second recess; said meansto rotate said second inner shaft through a determined angle comprising:a. a third inner shaft rotatably carried within said casing, said thirdinner shaft being substantially parallel to but spaced from said secondinner shaft, and having an end extending into said second recess;

b. a Geneva cross mechanism disposed within said second recess andincluding a driving pinion carried by said third inner shaft and adriven wheel carried by said second inner shaft; c. and means to rotatesaid third inner shaft at a substantially uniform angular speed;

and said apparatusfurther comprising second removable cover means toclose said second lateral recess.

4. In an apparatus as claimed in claim 3, said third inner shaft beingsubstantially radial to said shaft means.

5. In an apparatus as claimed in claim 3, said means to rotate saidthird inner shaft at a substantially uniform angular speed including:

a fourth inner shaft rotatable carried within said casing and having afirst end and a second end, with said second end extending into saidsecond recess;

gear means within said second recess to positively connect said fourthinner shaft with said third inner shaft; and means to rotate said fourthinner shaft at a substantially uniform angular speed. 6. In an apparatusas claimed in claim 5: said casing having a second end side opposed tosaid first end side; and said means to rotate said fourth inner shaftincluding: a. a worm wheel loosely carried by said fourth inner shaft;b. means to frictionally retain said worm wheel at a fixed angularposition with respect to said fourth inner shaft, so as to realize atorque limiting connection between said fourth inner shaft and said wormwheel; 0. and a worm rotatably carried by said casing in meshingengagement with said worm wheel, said worm having an axis substantiallyperpendicular said gear means to positively connect said fourth innershaft with said third inner shaft including a pinion angularly fixed onsaid fourth inner shaft but longitudinally slidable thereon;

said fourth inner shaft being formed with a radially protruding portionforming a shoulder, with said worm wheel abutting against said shoulder;

and said means to frictionally retain said worm wheel at a fixed angularposition on said fourth inner shaft including resilient means carried bysaid fourth inner shaft and acting on said pinion to'urge same againstsaid worm wheel so as to frictionally clamp said worm wheel between saidpinion and said shoulder.

8. In an apparatus as claimed in claim 5, said first and third innershafts being substantially radial to said shaft means and said shaftmeans extending in said casing between said second and fourth innershafts.

9. In an apparatus as claimed in claim 5:

means within said casing to lock said rotatable supporting plate atsuccessive index positions, said means including a rod member slidablewithin said casing in a direction substantially parallel to said shaftmeans and spring means to urge said member into engagement with saidplate;

and said fourth inner shaft being formed with a camshaped portion toactuate said member against said spring means to liberate said plateduring a portion of each revolution of said fourth inner shaft- 10. Inan apparatus as claimed in claim 9:

said casing having a third lateral side formed with a third recess;

and said apparatus further comprising:

a. electric switch means within said third recess, said switch meansbeing actuated by said rod member to generate indexing electric pulses;

b. and third removable cover means to close said third recess.

1. An indexing workpiece supporting apparatus comprising: a casinghaving at least first end side and a first lateral side, with said firstlateral side being formed with a first outwardly lateral recess; arotatable supporting plate mounted on said first end side of saidcasing; driving shaft means to carry said supporting plate and to rotatesame, said shaft means being rotatably supported in said casing; a firstinner shaft rotatably carried within said casing to drive said shaftmeans, said first inner shaft being substantially perpendicular to saidshaft means, and having a first end and a second end, with said firstend extending into said first lateral recess; gear means to positivelyconnect said first inner shaft with said shaft means to cause same torotate in unison; a second inner shaft also rotatably carried withinsaid casing, said second inner shaft being substantially parallel to,but spaced from said first inner shaft, and having a first and a secondend with said first end of said second inner shaft extending into saidfirst lateral recess; a pair of interchangeable gears removably mountedwithin said first lateral recess on said first and second inner shaftsto connect same with each other; means within said casing to rotate saidsecond inner shaft through a determined angle to cause said supportingplate to advance from an indexed position to the next one; and firstremovable cover means to close said first lateral recess.
 2. In anindexing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said second inner shaft beingsubstantially radial to said shaft means and said means to positivelyconnect said first inner shaft with said shaft means being formed of apair of bevel gears.
 3. In an indexing apparatus as claimed in claim 1:said casing having a second lateral side opposed to said first lateralside and formed with a second lateral recess; said second end of saidsecond inner shaft extending into said second recess; said means torotate said second inner shaft through a determined angle comprising: a.a third inner shaft rotatably carried within said casing, said thirdinner shaft being substantially parallel to but spaced from said secondinner shaft, and having an end extending into said second recess; b. aGeneva cross mechanism disposed within said second recess and includinga driving pinion carried by said third inner shaft and a driven wheelcarried by said second inner shaft; c. and means to rotate said thirdinner shaft at a substantially uniform angular speed; and said apparatusfurther comprising second removable cover means to close said secondlateral recess.
 4. In an apparatus as claimed in claim 3, said thirdinner shaft being Substantially radial to said shaft means.
 5. In anapparatus as claimed in claim 3, said means to rotate said third innershaft at a substantially uniform angular speed including: a fourth innershaft rotatable carried within said casing and having a first end and asecond end, with said second end extending into said second recess; gearmeans within said second recess to positively connect said fourth innershaft with said third inner shaft; and means to rotate said fourth innershaft at a substantially uniform angular speed.
 6. In an apparatus asclaimed in claim 5: said casing having a second end side opposed to saidfirst end side; and said means to rotate said fourth inner shaftincluding: a. a worm wheel loosely carried by said fourth inner shaft;b. means to frictionally retain said worm wheel at a fixed angularposition with respect to said fourth inner shaft, so as to realize atorque limiting connection between said fourth inner shaft and said wormwheel; c. and a worm rotatably carried by said casing in meshingengagement with said worm wheel, said worm having an axis substantiallyperpendicular to said second end side and projecting outwardly throughsaid second end side to form the inlet shaft of said apparatus.
 7. In anapparatus as claimed in claim 6: said Geneva cross pinion embodying acircular plate carrying means to cooperate with said Geneva cross wheel,said plate having a toothed periphery; said gear means to positivelyconnect said fourth inner shaft with said third inner shaft including apinion angularly fixed on said fourth inner shaft but longitudinallyslidable thereon; said fourth inner shaft being formed with a radiallyprotruding portion forming a shoulder, with said worm wheel abuttingagainst said shoulder; and said means to frictionally retain said wormwheel at a fixed angular position on said fourth inner shaft includingresilient means carried by said fourth inner shaft and acting on saidpinion to urge same against said worm wheel so as to frictionally clampsaid worm wheel between said pinion and said shoulder.
 8. In anapparatus as claimed in claim 5, said first and third inner shafts beingsubstantially radial to said shaft means and said shaft means extendingin said casing between said second and fourth inner shafts.
 9. In anapparatus as claimed in claim 5: means within said casing to lock saidrotatable supporting plate at successive index positions, said meansincluding a rod member slidable within said casing in a directionsubstantially parallel to said shaft means and spring means to urge saidmember into engagement with said plate; and said fourth inner shaftbeing formed with a cam-shaped portion to actuate said member againstsaid spring means to liberate said plate during a portion of eachrevolution of said fourth inner shaft.
 10. In an apparatus as claimed inclaim 9: said casing having a third lateral side formed with a thirdrecess; and said apparatus further comprising: a. electric switch meanswithin said third recess, said switch means being actuated by said rodmember to generate indexing electric pulses; b. and third removablecover means to close said third recess.